The Devils had not won a game in their previous ten tries and needed a win to keep their barely flickering playoff hopes alive,so the win accomplished two things on the evening.
Martin Brodeur stopped 23 shots in earning the shutout victory.
New Jersey received goals from Adam Henrique (11 Empty Net),Ryan Carter (5) and Matt D'Agostini (3).
The Devils have two weekend afternoon games coming up against Florida and then the Rangers in a desperate attempt to pull out a playoff spot.
Hell Raisers
1) Before we get too excited about playoff hopes,here is the situation-six points out and five games to play.
I think they need a minimum of four wins and a lot of help.
However,the Devils do have two games against the Rangers (8th playoff team),so some of this is in their own hands,but the Rangers games are must wins AND they must do so in regulation.
I just think it is too much to overcome,but it is always nice to beat the Flyers!
2) The best line on the ice was the fourth line of Stephen Gionta,Ryan Carter and Steve Bernier.
Carter scored the game winning goal,Bernier just missed on another and Gionta almost missed on a shorthanded chance at short rang after a nice defensive steal of the puck.
The Devils have not always played with passion,but this line sure did so on this night....
3) Martin Brodeur was solid in goal,but what I was more impressed with was the defensive corps.
The Devils did not allow the Flyers more than an a handful of really good opportunities.
4) One of the few good things that I have seen over the losing streak has been the maturation of Adam Larsson,who had played very well during the streak and continues to play well.
In a similar fashion to Tampa's Victor Hedman (Larsson's countryman),who took a while to really kick things,Larsson seems to have begun the process....
5) Now I know that the playoffs are nice and I never turn down losses over the Flyers and Rangers,but if the Devils cannot win both games this weekend,I'll consider the playoffs dead and then hope for a top ten draft pick.
I am not as knowledgeable on the hockey draft as I am the other three league drafts,but this is touted as a very deep draft,a top ten pick could go a long way in the Devils future.
If the Devils were able to get a top seven pick,that would be two of those in three years and would go a long way in insuring the team's continuing efforts to consistently contend....
No comments:
Post a Comment